Determination of estrogens in sludge and sediments by liquid extraction and GC/MS/MS.

Two methods have been developed that enable the determination of estrogens down to 2 ng/g in digested and activated sludge from domestic sewage treatment plants (STPs) and down to 0.2 ng/g in freshwater sediments. The method for sludge analysis consists of solvent extraction; a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) cleanup step, a 1 g silica gel column; and finally, detection by GC-ion trap MS/MS of the silylated estrogens with MSTFA.

Competitive NMDA receptor antagonists and spinal-cord ischemia.

Ischemic neuronal death is associated with excitatory amino acid (EAA) release. Their action is mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Blockade of the receptors before the ischemic insult can decrease neuronal damage.

Posterior ventricular septal rupture: an anatomical reconstruction.

Rupture of the ventricular septum following posterior myocardial infarction is an uncommon, but lethal, injury that requires prompt repair. Surgical reconstruction can be complex, demanding, and unfamiliar. Conventional techniques, as described in the literature, are associated with a variety of potential pitfalls.

Retrograde perfusion of the spinal cord during aortic crossclamping: initial observations in the swine model.

Background: Retrograde perfusion has emerged as a useful technique for the preservation of the heart and brain when arterial circulation is interrupted. Herein, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that retrograde perfusion of the azygos vein is sufficient to maintain viability of the spinal cord during aortic occlusion in the swine model.

Methods: Female swine, 17 to 22 kg, underwent left thoracotomy, creation of a shunt between the aortic arch and the azygos vein, and aortic crossclamping for 60 minutes: the shunt was open in the retrograde perfusion group (n = 5) and closed in the control group (n = 4).